Friday, December 31, 2010

2010 top 10 beauty Favourites!

 



LANCOME TEINT IDOLE ULTRA
This foundation is a MUST have for people who are prone to breakouts or have oily skin. It's an oil free formula that's super comfortable to wear, and the coverage is build able from medium to heavy. If worn with a primer and a powder your foundation will last all day long with no touch ups needed! I love this stuff!


BENEFIT HOOLA, I have been using this all year long every single day that i wear makeup to contour my face and give my face more dimension and colour. I'm amazed how long this stuff lasts! Great for lighter skin tones and doesn't look orange or fake!


CLARISONIC MIA , I have recently invested (it's super expensive) in a new skin cleansing device that is guaranteed to give your skin 6x's better cleansing that your hands alone. Great for exfoliating your skin and getting deep into your pores to remove oil, makeup and other buildup. I've been using it for about 3 weeks as of now and I LOVE IT! My skin is so soft and my breakouts have diminished! All you do is run the brush head under warm water, apply your cleanser to the brush and turn it on and buff your face in circular motions! It vibrates to get all the gunk out of your skin! It's rechargeable and totally waterproof!




LANCOME HYDRA ZEN NEUROCALM MOISTURIZER, this moisturizer is oil free and soothes your skin so nicely. It's extremely easy to apply and a little goes a really long way! It delivers instant moisture to your face without the greasy feeling. I absolutely love this stuff!





LUSH, need I say more? Every product that I have even purchased from lush I have been extremely happy with. I'm definitely obsessed, and in love with their bath bombs, bubble bars and soaps. They always make me happy and give me a chance to relax in the tub after a hard day. AND they don't test on animals and a lot of the products are vegan, which is a plus in my books!


IT'S A 10 MIRACLE LEAVE-IN PRODUCT, I'm sick and tired of using a heat protectant spray, then a volumizing mousse and this and that. To replace all that I was recommended this by my hair stylist and I've been in love ever since. It really does everything that it says it does, and it smells amazing! I don't have as much damage as I used to and I've even noticed my hair is growing longer since using this! (the picture explains everything!)




CHINA GLAZE NAIL POLISHES, these polishes are amazing and for the price you can't really get anything better! I even like them better than OPI (shocking, I know). My favourite shade it "FOR AUDREY" (the top middle colour). I'm already onto my second bottle now and I LOVE the robins egg shade, pretty for everyone!



KONAD NAIL STAMPING SYSTEM, I've never really been into doing my nails every couple days until I bought some KONAD stuff, it's really fun and it lets you be creative and artistic, even if you're not! It's super easy to use and in the end you get a really crisp and clear image of whatever image plate you have chosen!


MAC LIPSTICK IN HUE, This is my 2nd tube of lipstick in this shade and it's perfectly flattering on lighter skin tones. It's a peachy pink shade, very neutral but very pretty!



SMASHBOX WISH FOR THE PERFECT PALETTE, this was a STEAL! I just had to get 2! This item was limited edition for Christmas :( This Palette includes: 49 Eye Shadows, 10 Cream Eye Liners, 6 Brow Powders, 1 Brow Wax, 8 Lip Glosses, 2 Blush, 1 Bronzer, 1 Highlighter, 4 Mini Brushes (Eye Shadow, Cream Eye Liner, Angled Brow & Lip) I've used this palette almost everyday I wear makeup! I <3 Smashbox!


 


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Dermaglow Review

Over the past two weeks I have had the chance to try two DERMAGLOW products that I have added into my skin care regimen. I am extremely happy with the way my eye area look and feel after just two weeks of daily use. During stressful months like in december when the hustle and bustle of the holidays really catch up to you, it's really hard to get full 8 hours of sleep every night. So when I woke up with puffy, and dark circled eyes I needed some help! I began to use Dermaglow Nuvectin Triple Action Eye Lift, this treatment comes roller ball style tube that's super easy to use. Some say when your eyes are puffy in the morning to use frozen spoons. Throw away those spoons and try this product. This product was made with a metal roller ball, when you apply this treatment it is very cool, calming the swelling of the under eye. And that's not all it does! This eye treatment also combats crow's feet and dark under-eye circles. The Triple Action Eye Lift was created with escin, caffeine, hyaluronic Acid and vitamin B5. It is also paraben and fragrance free. It delivers hydration, along with anti-aging benefits. Studies reveal 95% experienced significant improvement in dark circles and under eye puffiness, 62% experienced Lift and Smoothing of skin after 1 hour, 28% reduction in appearance of wrinkles in crow's feet area in 5 minutes. This product is the instant gratification that every one's after. A definite must have for those experiencing dull and dark looking eyes in need of a lift without surgery!

The next eye product that I'm absolutely in LOVE with is the Dermaglow Radiance Under-Eye Brightener, this product is magic in a tube! It's so easy to apply with a wand directly to the areas that need that extra brightening boost. Apply in the morning to those dark under eye circles for an instant fix. " Light-diffusing technology and brightening pigments instantly diminish the look of dark circles. Over time, high-tech peptides and bio-available vitamin C provide long-term benefits against under-eye puffiness, shadows and fine lines and wrinkles." This product is a fabulous pick-me-up in the morning after a long night out, not enough sleep or even your genetic dark under eye circles. This product can be applied in the morning before makeup application and even throughout the day over makeup for extra brightening of the eyes! This product contains High Potency Vitamin C, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Light Diffusing Technology and is also paraben free.

Hope you enjoyed this review! xo



Friday, December 10, 2010

The Winter Blues

Here's a "Holiday" inspired look using cool tones of blues and aquas to create a bright but not overpowering eye. Great for festive events like parties, or even new years! Let's begin!

First start out with a base, I'm using NYX jumbo eye pencil in MILK. Any light coloured base will work.
Now using your ring finger, blend the base out to prevent creasing.

Take a colour close to your natural skin tone I'm using Nylon by MAC with a SIGMA E25 Blending brush and apply it to the inner corner of your eyes, and along the brow bone just under the arch of your eyebrows.

Now apply a light mint coloured eyeshadow on the lids and above the crease. I'm using Aquavert by MAC with a MAC 239 Shader brush.

Now using a blue colour blend that along the outer corner of the eye into the crease, creating an outer "V" shape. I'm using Aquadisiac by MAC along with a MAC 219 Pencil brush. Blend out with any blending brush, again I'm using my SIGMA E25 Blending brush.

Now using the same colour and brush run the shadow along the lower lash line to create more depth.

Wipe your pencil brush of any excess eyeshadow and use a shimmery highlight colour along the inner corner of lower lash line. I'm using Nylon by MAC.

Once you're finished with your eyeshadow, line your upper lash line with a black eyeliner. I'm using PUR MINERALS gel eyeliner in carbon with a very small paintbrush I found at the craft store. You can use any eyeliner for this step, for a smudged look use a pencil liner and smoke it out, you could also use a liquid or cream liner in your choice of colour.

Now curl your lashes and apply black mascara. I'm using Hypnose by LANCOME. For an evening look don't be shy to add false lashes for added glam.

Now taking the black eyeliner you used before line the lower waterline of your eyes to create the look of a thicker bottom lash line. Skip this step if you have small eyes, instead use a white for a big bright eyed effect.

To frame your face use a brow powder and angled brush to fill in your eyebrows. I'm using Smashbox Brow Tech in Brunette and a MAC 208 Angled Brow Brush. You can use any brow filler including coloured brow wax, clear mascara to tame unruly brows, brow pencil, brow gel etc. Skip this step if you have full eyebrows.

And your look is completed! Don't be shy to add sparkles for an evening party look! Pair these eyes with a peachy nude blush and nude lips with a glossy finish!
Hope you enjoy!
xo Bri



Friday, December 3, 2010

Favourite Body Products

Here are some of my favourite body products that I cannot live without! Hope you enjoy!
Shower products:
Exfoliators are so important to remove any dead skin cells all over your body, especially where they tend to collect...knees and elbows. My Favourite exfoliator is from BATH AND BODY WORKS and it's called 'I'm in the mood for scrub' it foams up and gives a nice fresh clean feeling to your skin. Although I find it to smell a bit masculine the scent doesn't stay on your body after the shower, especially if you use another soap or cream product. I love how it foams up and lathers!


Soaps... My favourite bar soaps are from LUSH! I just can't get enough of them. I'm really loving the 'Snow Globe' soap right now, it's citrus smell is amazing but yet not over powering. If you've ever used the avo bath bomb from lush this is exactly what it smells like. To me it smells like froot loops! You can purchase it at LUSH in whatever size you please! But this is a seasonal item, and once it's gone its gone for good!

My next favourite shower product you can find at BATH AND BODY WORKS. I've been using the 'lay it on thick' shower cream for months and I just can't seem to get enough of it. It's so silky and smooth and most of all it packs intense moisture! The smell is also to DIE for. This shower cream smells like a mix of shea butter and coconut. It's packed with Vitamin E and shea butter.
Now for BATH products! I love relaxing and having an aromatic bath after a long day at work, as do most people. Lush is my favourite place to indulge in bath bombs, bubble bars and different bath products to help soothe aching muscles, relieve stress, moisturize your body and most of all smell amazing! Most of these lush products are Vegan! They are 100% cruelty free and NOT tested on animals... way to go LUSH!

My favourite bath bomb of all time would have to be 'Butter ball' It's super moisturizing to the skin with little beads of coco butter throughout the bomb. That way if you're having a HOT bath the temperature wont dry your skin! It smells like vanilla and is a definite must have for all vanilla lovers!

 My next favourite bath bomb is a soothing and relaxing bath bomb before bed time. It's called 'Twilight' and it's scent of lavender and vanilla is sure to put you into a sleepy mood. It's colour of purple will dye your bathwater a lavender colour. This is my go-to bath bomb when I've had a long day and I'm ready to hit the sack!
Now if you want something fun in the bathtub try "dragons egg" it's sure a surprise when you put it in your bathwater and watch it fizz away, transforming into something beautiful and.... I wont give away the rest. It's a surprise that you'll find in the middle! So much fun! You gotta try this one out!

After bathing or showering it's important to moisturize the skin, here is my favourite moisturizer for the cold winter months. It's the St. Ives Skin Firming Body Creme, I'm not sure why I bought the skin firming one. But I'm absolutely in love. I've always hated the smell of unscented lotions, it's almost medicinal. But this one has such a faint smell and the texture is just to die for. It's like a body butter but non greasy at all. It glides on smoothly and absorbs quite fast. It's said to give you more firm looking skin in 2 weeks. It's also a vegan product containing no animal products, including no testing on animals.

Hope you guys liked this!
Thanks for reading!
Bri xo

My Foundation Routine

Hey guys, so I get a lot of questions on how to get flawless skin and a perfect complexion that lasts all day. In this blog post I will explain my foundation routine in as much detail as I can! First obviously is skin care, your skin care regiment is extremely important for your overall skin health. Skin care to suit your skin type can clear blemishes, tighten pores, give radiance to a rather dull texture, be anti-aging and so on. Treating your skin properly will create a perfect canvas to create your flawless face routine.

The first step in my makeup routine is to Prime. It's really important to prime your skin before applying any type of foundation. Primer serves as a barrier between your skin and the makeup, blurring the appearance of large pores and helping with oil production which will make your makeup last all day. Primer will also fill in any pores or fine lines to even out the skin surface, so that your makeup will glide right on and not glob up in your pores. There are hundreds of primers available for any skin type! My favourite primer is PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER by SMASHBOX. This lightweight formula of vitamins A and E, grape seed extract and green tea. It is oil-free, perfect for any skin type and will create a flawless canvas for further makeup application.
 PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER
$44




The next step in my foundation routine is liquid foundation. I use TIENT IDOLE ULTRA by LANCOME in shade Ivory 1(C). This foundation is a 14-hour ultra-resistant makeup that delivers a  flawless, full-coverage that lasts all day. The retouch-free, oil-free formula features LancĂ´me’s SoftFeel™ technology glides on with comfort. This foundation leaves skin feeling soft and natural looking with build able coverage and the ability to be mixed with a lightweight moisturizer to create a tinted moisturizer for that sought after "dewy" look.
TEINT IDOLE ULTRA
$50
Now a lot of people may not need a concealer, but I always love using concealer to cover any blemishes or imperfections I may be self conscious about. My favourite concealer of all times is the 5 CAMOUFLAGE CREAM PALETTE- NO.1 by MAKE UP FOR EVER. Though it provides complete coverage, the texture is light, easy to blend, and won't irritate even the most sensitive skin. This concealer can be used lightly under the eyes to cover dark circles or heavier over blemishes. The first 3 colours of the palette can be used with each other to create the perfect shade for you, while the 4 and 5 colour are for correction. (4) A salmon toned concealer is perfect for dark under eye circles it will correct the colour before a foundation is applied for an even complexion. (5) A green tinted concealer is great to mask redness, so blemishes, pimples etc. Apply the green lightly then blot a neutral skin toned concealer on top to conceal the redness and you're ready for foundation!
5 CAMOUFLAGE CREAM PALETTE- NO.1
$36

 
Now to set the foundation and concealer I use a powder, for a matte look. If you wanted a dewy look skip this step. In order to achieve a full coverage flawless look I buff a mineral powder over my skin to reduce shine and help with oil control. I use the 4-in-1 PRESSED MINERAL MAKEUP FOUNDATION by PUR MINERALS. This foundation can be worn under liquid or alone for a more natural look. It has an SPF of 15, and is pure mineral pigment ground to the smoothest texture and bound with organic shea butter and vitamin E. It does not contain harsh chemical dyes, alcohol, fragrance or preservatives. It's an amazing alternative to liquid foundation for that natural glow or great to be used as a light setting powder to ensure your makeup will stay put throughout the day.
4-in-1 PRESSED MINERAL MAKEUP FOUNDATION
$30

And last but not least a little bit of colour to my skin is always needed for a contoured and bright face I love using HOOLA by BENEFIT as a matte bronzer to contour my skin and give a slight glow to my skin.
HOOLA
$36


For blush I love a radiant coral colour to give warmth and colour to my skin I use many different shades depending on my makeup look but here are some of my favourites!
ORGASM by NARS
$30
PEACHES by MAC
$22


WELL DRESSED by MAC
$22


FLUSH by SMASHBOX
$24

I hope you all enjoyed my foundation routine and if you have any questions at all feel free to ask! I love these products and have been using every step with these exact items for months and months and will not change a thing! Lots of love <3
Bri xo